A gazilion dances - which to learn? I need a roadmap!
- Sarah Cleaver
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
This week, I want to draw together the information from the last three posts (the line dance rhythms, the list of dances "that every line dancer knows", and what to expect on a night out) and try to give you a plan, for those of you who want to enjoy line dancing on a night out. Like a roadmap - in a way, to take you from your first class to being a confident night-out dancer.
There are some dances choreographed to a particular piece of music, that will only fit that music. When you hear the song played you all know exactly what you're dancing, and away you go. These tend to be more complex dances - and there's a place on our dance floors for that.
But other dances are much more generic. They will fit to lots of different music. On a night out, you'll see dancers thinking and trying out different dances, then getting up - and as others recognise what they're doing, we will join them on the floor. (Sometimes, the musician will helpfully say, "Dance X will fit to this" - three cheers for when this happens!)
Now, I know there are a gazilion dances out there, but if you want to dance "out" then this is my advised shortlist of dances to learn. It's taken from my list of dances that every line dancer knows, and it's structured around the main types of rhythm. To help you along, I'll link the choreography for you, where I can; so this post will almost become a directory of online learning for you! (Please do like, comment on, and share this post, if you find it useful.)
One Step / Three-four time:
The first three of these are so old, I don't know if anyone really remembers who first wrote them, and there are variations that are more commonly danced. One step forward, for instance, makes a triangle shape on the floor, because the forward step-taps are done on the diagonal. The Cowboy Charleston uses heels, instead of toes. And there are different versions of the electric slide - with slightly different endings. I will teach you the versions most commonly done, in class; stick with me!
Two Step (Slow, slow, quick quick slow)
The most common dance here is Ribbon of Highway, often danced to Just to See you Smile by Tim McGraw. This fits to lots of tracks and is unusual in that it's a one-wall dance, you always start facing the front. It's a nice couple dance too - with the gentleman dancing straight shuffles while the lady turns, in sweetheart hold.
You could also look at Country 2-step.
Cha-cha
County Lines (I'll need to teach you this one, I can't find it!)
All of these use versions of the Cha-cha pattern, counted as "1, 2, 3&4, 5, 6, 7&8". But it's also a good idea to learn Rock around the clock, which is syncopated all the way through: 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, 7&8. And if there's anything with a "rockabilly" flavour played, the go-to dance is often My New Life (aka "High Class Lady").
Also under a Latin heading, I'd include
Lamtarra Rumba (again, so old I'll need to teach it to you)
Under this heading I'm also going to include the "Nightclub two-step" or "Nightclub 2" which I'll teach to you as "siiiiiide, rock-back", so it's similar to a rumba basic step. The key dances here are,
There are also some easy tango dances, and although I love teaching these, you don't see them danced "out" very often, so I have decided not to include them here. You've got enough homework as it is!
Waltz
Be sure to learn Rita's Waltz.
You'll also often see the Waltz across Texas, which I'm going to need to teach you in class because I can't find it!
Another good beginner waltz is the Last Cheater's Waltz.
Moving on from the absolute beginner waltz, a good one to know is the Contentment Waltz, this is 24 counts but a bit different to the basic waltz steps.
I could include any number of dances on this list! I've tried to pare it back for you; if you learn these, you should find that you can "get up" when you are out on a Saturday night, line dancing to live music.
I hope you'll find this "roadmap" helpful - please do comment if there are any dances you think I've missed, or just to let me know it's helped you. Thanks!
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